Sunday, November 30, 2014

Remembering the Jews Expelled from Arab lands

In Israel, November 30 is now the national day of commemoration of the forgotten refugees, the Jewish expelled from Arab lands and Iran.

In 1948 close to a million Jews lived in the Middle East and North Africa, calling these lands their home since the Babylonian captivity.

Jews in the Arab lands and North Africa faced escalating levels of persecution in the 20th century, and were denied basic human rights. Between 1948 and 1967, many
were expelled or fled the region, seeking safety in Israel and elsewhere.

The value of assets lost by the Jewish refugees is estimated at $700 million - roughly $6.7
billion today.